The GOOD, The BAD, and The UGLY

(not) GOOD

(really) BAD

(very) UGLY

SUP SURF ETIQUETTE

With Memorial Day and Summer fast approaching, I thought this might be a good time to share some guidelines about  taking your SUP  to the beach and playing in the waves.
BEFORE you even think about paddling out, here are a few things you need to know.




 WPA (World Paddle Association) SUP Surf Etiquette

• Know your ability and the surf break you are going to surf. Beginning SUP surfers can be a bigger danger to those in the water and to yourself if you do not know the dynamics of a SUP board and the power of the wave.
• Know the restrictions where you can or cannot SUP surf as SUP surfing may not be suitable at a given break and or area. If you don’t know ask a lifeguard or someone that has knowledge of the particular break.
• Be conscious of others in the water both paddling out and where you are in the surf line up. A SUP board will get away from you much further than a surfboard and also drag you further going through a wave and when you fall. Give yourself twice the distance you would on a surfboard from others on both sides and behind you when paddling out and especially when you fall, be sure to plan ahead and give ample room to those paddling out.
• Be respectful out in the line up particularly when you are not at your home break. If you are not a local or even are a local don’t paddle around everyone to the priority position and or outside. Work your way into the line up by catching some in between waves and gain respect of others that are out in the water.
• Once you are at the main peak or line up be willing to give up some waves to others and even call out set waves that may be coming. This will go far for you to catch waves and gain respect from surfers. An experienced SUP surfer can catch twice as many waves as a traditional surfer and everyone is trying to catch their fair share, so be fair and share as much as possible.
• Take a break and sit on your board when you can. This will show other surfers that you are willing to pass up waves and give some waves to others.
• Go out of your way to be kind and help others. In most cases you will be judged by others even before you get in the water.
• Help those who don’t know. If you see a beginning SUP surfer that does not know surf etiquette, inform them in a kind way about the rules and or restrictions. In the end it will benefit all of us in the water.
• WEAR a LEASH! Don’t try to be cool and think that you don’t have to wear a leash. All it takes is one fall to wipeout someone else’s day or life.If you follow these simple guidelines when you are in the water with surfers you will gain a lot of respect from others and for the sport of SUP surfing. “We set the standard today for what will happen in the future of SUP surfing”. “Keep the Vibe”

Surfing is Fun!

Wipeouts are part of the game

Coming soon: TIPs for paddling out through the surf and shore break. STAY TUNED!

keeping a weather eye

I have been fortunate to have spent most of my life on, or around the  water. I started sailing at the age of 12.  Sailing became windsurfing. Windsurfing became  boardsports.   Boardsports has become Stand Up Paddling.

    A great morning for a paddle!

One of the first things I learned as a young sailor was to always keep "a weather eye". The  definition of a weather eye is: An ability to recognize quickly signs of changes in the weather.  While this is a skill acquired over a lifetime,  anyone new to SUP should have a basic awareness of the weather in order to have a safe experience on the water.

The  weather on the water can change very quickly.  A sunny summer day can turn into a summer squall in a matter of minutes.  These squalls can produce high winds and heavy rains.  On the water, these squalls usually appear as a low line of clouds across the horizon, and usually indicate a  severe change in the weather.  The first sign of this cloud line is a good time to haul ass to the nearest beach and get off the water.

Schooner Woodwind heading home towards a cloud line and a possible squall .

Less than 5 minutes later, the wind shifted almost 180 degrees and increased from 7 mph to over 20!

Notice the shift and the huge spike in wind speed as the front passed.

 Thunderstorms are another huge risk to anyone on water. Thunderstorms are most likely to occur in the spring and summer months and during the afternoon and evening hours, but they can occur year-round and at all hours of the day or night. Thunderstorms can produce high winds, heavy rain, and dangerous lightning.  The potential of thunder storms usually (but not always) is indicated by the upward movement of large cumulus clouds (the ones that look like cotton candy). 

Potential Thunderhead

 When these clouds turn dark or at the first rumble of thunder, it is time to get off the water.  Most thunderstorms are short in duration and it is best to seek the closest shelter, than try to out run one.  According to NOAA "there is no safe place outside during a thunderstorm. If you are on the water and skies are threatening, get back to land and find a safe building or safe vehicle." Wait for it to pass and then paddle home.


WIND! She can be your friend or or enemy.  She can blow you where you want to go, or make it impossible to get there.  I have friends that do downwinders (blowing with the wind) in Hawaii in 40 knots.  They surf the wind swell and cover long distances in a short time. Paddling into the  wind, in much more than 15, it is very difficult, if not impossible to make forward progress.  Whenever possible start out your SUP journey by paddling into the wind.  If you choose to paddle on a windy day, it is a really good idea to wear a leash.  If you should fall, you won't have to worry about having your board blow away from you. If you find yourself in a situation with too much wind, try paddling on your knees.  You will be more stable and have less windage.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST:  If the weather breaks bad, NEVER leave your board and try to swim home.  Stay low, lay down, ride it out, do whatever it takes to stay with your board!

Pay attention to the Weather Channel, listen to a marine weather forecast, and keep an eye to the sky.
Remember, you don't have to get there, you just have to get home.
Paddle often, paddle fun, paddle safe!

Red Sky at Night  Sailors Delight.  Not bad for a paddle either!

  
Aloha, MB

2012 Carolina Cup

Wow, it is hard to believe a week has flown by since being in Wrightsville N.C for the Carolina Cup.
With 3 different courses and 300 racers, the organizers did a fantastic job.  Sarah raced the 3.5 mile Harbor Island Course,  I raced the 6.5 Money Island Course (finishing well out of the money), and the Elite paddlers raced a 13.5 mile Graveyard Course.  Once again the organizers did a unbelievable job of of running 3 different races all at the same time. The Blockade Runner Hotel provided an excellent venue, and was a great host.  
In addition the all of the racing, there was a huge demo event with many of the major brands represented.  I had the pleasure of getting to meet Joe Bark.  It is pretty cool to  talk to one the premier shapers about a board, and then go paddle it.  I've said this in a previous post, there are a lot of really good raceboards out there, but anyone considering buying one, a Bark designed board should be on anyone's short list.  
Many of the sports elite paddlers were in attendance.  Danny Ching, Candice Appleby, Karen Wren,   Jim Terrell, and many others. It is hard not to be in awe of these world class athletes, but they are all very approachable and willing to share paddling tips or pose for pictures with their fans.
After my race, I crossed over to the oceanside and took a ton of pictures of these athletes finishing their race.
 I did manage to get a little SUP surf session in on Saturday afternoon, and then again Sunday morning.    It felt really good to finally spend some time with Mother Ocean and catch a few waves. I spent Sunday taking a Paddle Fit/ WPA Instructors Training Course. Even though I have already been teaching SUP for several years, it will be nice to be part of a recognized organization.
Sarah and I went for a short paddle and then spent some time on the beach before heading home on Monday.
 It was a SUPer event and a great time!

I've already posted tons of pictures on Facebook (facebook/eastofmaui), but here a a couple of my favorites from the event.

Carolina Bound. 

Danny Ching  Leading the Elite Race

Jim Terrell from Quickblade looking smooth bringing his raceboard in through the surf.

Male Podium

The Ladies all looking good

My favorite picture from the event.  Sarah took this picture of Candice consoling this young man who was unhappy with his finish of the kids race on Sunday.

A local tells me this is "The Diminishing Republic".